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Bonds remains at 754; Feliz helps Giants end Penny's run

Aug 1, 2007 - 6:21 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Just because Barry Bonds remains one homer short of tying the all-time record doesn't mean the San Francisco Giants are stuck in neutral.

Pedro Feliz broke open a tie game with a two-run single in the sixth, leading the Giants to a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.

Bonds, who is 1-for-9 with seven walks since hitting homer No. 754, finished 0-for-2 with two walks and scored a run for San Francisco, which won for the fifth time in its last six contests.

"I don't know if he (Bonds) is pressing or not, but it will only be a matter of time until he hits those home runs," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.

The seven-time MVP was lifted for pinch runner Fred Lewis in the seventh inning when he reached base on a fielding error by Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal.

Feliz, a career .252 hitter, has been on a tear over his last 18 games, batting .333 (22-for-66) with 17 RBI. His clutch hit broke open a 1-1 game and came off Dodgers starter Brad Penny (13-2), who saw an end to his 12-game unbeaten streak and suffered his first loss against a National League team this season.

"I just have to go out and try to make things happen when we have guys on base," Feliz said. "I got a good pitch to handle and hit it hard."

It was an uncharacteristic outing for the two-time All-Star, one in which he appeared to lose his command and composure. Following the final pitch of a five-pitch walk to Bonds to lead off the seventh, Penny openly questioned and expressed his displeasure with the lack of a strike call by home plate umpire Ed Hickox.

"I thought it was a close strike but after looking at the replay it was a little high," Penny said. "I didn't pay attention to all the lights going off when Barry was up. Please no more questions about Bonds."

The walk seemed to agitate Penny, who walked the next hitter, Ryan Klesko, on four pitches - matching his season high with five free passes. After a single from Bengie Molina loaded the bases, Feliz scored Bonds and Klesko with a two-run single to center for a 3-1 advantage.

"I didn't get a lot of run support today from my team, but that's baseball," Penny said. "Sometimes, you just have to tip your hat to the other team.

"I struggled with my command from the beginning and just never could get in a good groove."

That would all the offensive support that Giants starter Noah Lowry (12-7) would need. The lefthander permitted just one run despite allowing five hits and five walks over 5 2/3 innings, becoming the fifth NL pitcher to reach 12 wins and improved to 4-0 with a 2.80 ERA in six career starts at Dodger Stadium.

"This felt like just any other start for me," Lowry said. "Once I hit the mound, it's just getting out there and pitching my game."

Randy Winn had four hits for the Giants, who won for just the seventh time in 46 games in which they scored fewer than four runs.

Relievers Kevin Correia and Steve Kline pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings before handing the game over in the ninth to closer Brad Hennessey, who pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save in 11 chances.

"Our guys in the pen came out and just shut down their offense tonight," Lowry said. "Anytime I leave with the lead, I feel confident that our (bullpen) will come in and do a good job."

Penny yielded three runs and six hits over six frames for the Dodgers, who dropped to 17-5 in contests started by their ace.

The Giants extended the odd streak that exists between the teams over the last two seasons - the road team has won each of the 15 meetings.